Adding Grain to Jpegs

Yes it's arrived. And yes, it's gorgeous!

Ok, slight context.... I've recently purchased a Fujifilm X100 (original) as my lightweight 'travel' camera (see last two posts) instead of carrying around my full-frame S5 with numerous lenses. And it arrived yesterday. And it IS gorgeous. 😁

In my previous post, I also discussed how I would use the X100 to challenge my photography in 2026. To use it:

Okarito Schoolhouse. Fuji X-E2. Grain added

• as a one camera, one lens set up
• with a fixed 35mm focal length lens
• shooting in jpeg only

Call it a New Years resolution if you will. And, like all New Years resolutions, we'll see how long it lasts?

I haven't used the X100 for any serious photography yet (it only arrived yesterday), but I have set the camera up for how I like to shoot, and I'm sure I will tweak this once I get a few excursions under my belt.

Initially I have it in aperture priority (choosing the aperture on the lens), single shot, central AF point, beep turned off, fine jpeg and auto ISO. I will play around with the optical vs electronic viewfinder, but initial thoughts are that I quite like the optical viewfinder with the information overlay. No, you don't get to see the changes you make to the image in real-time, but you do still get to see a histogram so you can nail exposure and can see what your current settings are. As with all range-finder setups with the viewfinder off to the left, the camera lens does protrude a bit into the bottom right corner, but not excessively. And it will be even less apparent without the lens hood attached.

With all that out of the way, my thoughts turned to how I was going to 'process' the images from the X100. Yes, I realise that if I am going to commit to shooting jpegs all year, then the camera does all the work for me. I should just be able to use the images SOOC (straight out of camera). After all, isn't that the point?

Donovan's Store, Okarito. Fujifilm X-E2 with gain added in Nik Color Efex Pro 4 (before & after)

Well, yes, I suppose it is. Shooting jpeg - especially when applying a film recipe - means that you are getting the 'look' you are after without having to go through the RAW editing process later. And the 'look' that I am after, is a 'representation' of film. 

I added italics to my last statement because I know that shooting digital is not, and never will be, the same as actually shooting film. But I'm happy with that - because I don't actually want to shoot film. But I do want to use the X100 to photograph in a similar way to shooting film, and achieve a similar look. And with the Fuji film recipes, I'm 90% there. What's the other 10% that's missing? Grain.

Lake Mapourika, South Westland. Fujifilm X-E2 with grain added in Nik Color Efex Pro 4

I recently ended my subscription to Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, and since then I've been using Affinity Photo (which I paid full price for a few months before they made it free for everyone! Don't get me started...). While I don't for-see a lot of post-processing required to the jpegs from the X100, I do want to add some grain to the final images. In later camera models (the X-E3, X100V etc) grain can be added in-camera as part of the film recipe. Unfortunately not so in the X100.

I looked around at possible software solutions (of which there are many), and as amazing as some of them looked, they all needed an ongoing subscription to use them. Not happening.

Then I realised that I still had the Nik software suite from when Google owned it and they offered it for free. Nik's Analog Efex Pro 2 seemed just the ticket, so I fired it up and played around with making my own 'camera' grain settings. After playing around for a while, I couldn't seem to achieve the look I was after. The software really tries to overplay the old camera effect - it doesn't do subtle. All I really wanted was just some simple grain added. In the end I gave up on Analog Efex and opened Color Efex Pro 4 instead. And bingo - there it was. A simple 'grain effect' filter.

I have created my own custom effect that I can apply to all the images I want to add some grain to from the X100. Yes, it adds another step, and yes, it counts as post-processing on a workflow that is supposed to be SOOC - but I won't do it to every image - just the ones I want to post/share on the blog. The effect can be seen on the images above - all shot with the Fujifilm X-E2. The middle image of Donavan's Store shows some of the 'before and after', where prior to the red line in the image is the 'before'.

I like the look of the grain in the image (and yes, I know it's not grain as such, but simple added texture /noise) which completes the illusion of creating a film-look from a digital camera. And that's good enough for me. It's the closest thing to shooting film, without actually shooting film.

I'm looking forward to taking the X100 out for it's first official shoot. I've already programmed three film recipes into the camera, and will try them out with the film grain added in Color Efex Pro 4 and post these next time. Then it's bring on 2026!

One camera, one lens, in 2026.

In my last post I discussed my recent purchase; the Fujifilm X100. I had hoped it would have turned up in time for my birthday, but alas that was not meant to be. It’s actually due to arrive on December 23rd (this Tuesday at the time of writing this). To say that I’m looking forward to it arriving would be something of an understatement. I’m pumped.

For those of you who may have been following along at home (and if you have been then ‘thank you’), you will know that this is not my first foray into the Fujifilm ecosystem. In 2019 I invested heavily in the XE1 and XE2, taking a deep dive down the film recipe rabbit hole. I enjoyed every minute of it back then, and I have a feeling that I’m going to be doing the same soon. I’ve already started re-reading some of my old posts to familiarise myself with some of the film recipes that I created for the XE1, and I think that these will port over to the X100 quite nicely.

I’m also hoping that the X100 will help rekindle my love affair with photography. I had been recently mulling over what I might be able to do in 2026 to get me back into photography again, and the X100 might just be the answer. In a few ways.

Firstly, the move back to a rangefinder-like shooting experience is something that I am really looking forward to. I loved the handling of the XE cameras I owned, which from someone who was brought up on SLR bodies was very surprising. In a good way. I’m also looking forward to experiencing the hybrid viewfinder on the X100. I have become used to using evf’s (electronic view finders) and the myriad benefits that they bring. I don’t even mind a lower resolution evf like those on the XE1 or Olympus EM5. But an optical viewfinder, with an electronic overlay that gives some shooting information,may be the perfect blend between digital convenience and optical clarity? Using the optical viewfinder option also helps with battery life, which on the original X100 isn’t all that impressive (apparently).

Secondly, 2026 may see me embrace the ‘one camera, one lens’ philosophy with the Fujifilm X100. It will be fascinating to see what using just the X100, with its fixed 35mm focal length lens, will do for my photography. Especially since I’m a self-confessed zoom guy. In preparation I’ve been watching a few youtube videos extolling the virtues of the fixed 35mm focal length. Some even refer to it as the ‘goldilocks’ focal length. It had better be if I’m going to shoot it exclusively for my images in 2026. We have a North Island holiday planned for the start of 2026, and we also may go to Australia towards the end of 2026 - so I had better fall in love with the 35mm focal length and the images it produces, or the one camera, one lens philosophy may be somewhat short lived? But I’m certainly keen to give it a go…

Speaking of giving it a go, the third and final decision with using the X100 is around file types. Given that I really loved Fuji’s film recipes last time I used the system, and given that I’m already thinking of what recipes I can programme into the X100, I’m also thinking that in 2026 I will concentrate on shooting jpegs only!? If there is any system that warrants shooting only jpegs, it’s Fujifilm. With its retro styling, film-like handling, and basic (2010) technology, the camera is as close as it gets to a film-shooting experience in a digital camera body. Right up my alley.

If I go through with all of the above (one camera, with one fixed 35mm lens, shooting jpegs only), then 2026 could be a very interesting year for me - photographically and artistically speaking. Bring it on…..

Happy Birthday to me!

Shhhhhh - don’t tell anyone, but I’m turning 58 in five days time!

I can’t quite believe it really, and it seems quite surreal. My Dad only made it to 36 before he passed away (as the result of a bad accident at his place of work). And while I didn’t therefore assume that I would also go young, 58 (only 2yrs away from the big 60) has kinda snuck up on me. 

I’ve also been struggling a bit health-wise this year as well. I have a family history of high blood pressure, of which I take daily medication to keep it under control. But this year I’ve also been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, as well as having had surgery for ankle issues. I am taking action to deal with the diabetes and am hoping to get this under control through diet and exercise in the new year.

But this isn’t a health and fitness blog (you’ll be pleased to know), so what has this all got to do with photography? Excellent question. I’m glad you asked.

My wife and I travel quite a lot back and forth to Christchurch, to spend time with family. And on these trips, it’s a good opportunity to take some family photos. The grandkids are growing up fast (as grandkids are wont to do), and we like to document this. Or at least we like to ‘occasionally’. More often than not, I find myself leaving my full-frame Lumix S5 behind and not bringing a camera at all. I end up taking photos on my phone instead. And as a ‘serious’ photographer, this simply will not do.

This, of course, got me thinking. Maybe I need a more compact travel camera? Something that I don’t mind lugging around for those photo opportunities with family and on the road. Something like a Fujifilm X100 maybe?

To be fair, I didn’t have a specific camera in mind when I started looking on TradeMe (NZ’s answer to ebay). I actually bid on a few cameras (including a Canon M10 and Lumix GX85), before putting in a rather cheeky bid on a Fujifilm X100 (original). I made an offer of $400.00 on the camera with an asking price of $500.00 - and was surprised when the seller accepted my offer! But I ain’t complaining.

For those of you who may have read some of my previous posts, you will be aware that I have taken a deep dive into the Fujifilm rangefinder-esque style of camera in the past. I owned both the XE1 and XE2, and loved the aesthetics, handling and functionality of the Fuji system. Especially the film simulations. And I have used an X100 in the deep dark past (briefly) when they first came out in 2011. Ironically, I can recall not being overly enamoured with it. But this was also when I was deeply embedded in the digital SLR system.

With the original X100, I’m getting 15 year old technology, with a fixed 35mm equivalent lens and 12 megapixels. It’s slow focusing, inaccurate, has slow write speeds and has very limited film simulations. On paper it’s a bit of a dog to be honest. So what's the appeal?

Well, for a start, just look at it! It’s flippin’ gorgeous. And yes, as vain as it may seem, looks do matter (to me at least). If I’m looking for a ‘fun’ travel camera that makes me want to pick it up and take pictures with it, then look no further than the X100.

And I also don’t need (or want) another camera crammed with technology and all the modern bells and whistles. I’ve already got one of those. With the X100 I’ll look forward to slowing down and experience the process of taking a photo. And yes, the experience is very much like shooting film. Which I love. But with digital, which I also love.

So while the Fujifilm X100 might be old, and slow, and lack most of the newer film simulations, I think it will more than make up for this with the experience of picture taking. Will I miss some shots occasionally? Undoubtedly. Will I find the fixed 35mm equivalent field of view limiting from time to time? Most certainly. But will I enjoy using the X100 and taking photos with it? Absolutely!

It should arrive on my birthday (happy birthday to me), and I can’t think of a better present to give myself for my 58th birthday.